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Los Van Van

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What else is new: Los Van Van

By Jane Cornwell, None  09.03.09
 

It’s not easy to sing, to really belt it out, while dancing as if on castors. But Los Van Van’s four lead vocalists deliver their epic Spanish-language songs with instinctive dexterity, backed by a crew of musicians with some cool moves of their own.

Known as the Rolling Stones of Cuba, this 20-piece juggernaut, formed just 10-years after Castro’s 1959 Revolution, has been causing dancefloor mayhem for a remarkable four decades. By constantly refining their irresistible songo grooves and refreshing their line-up with virtuosos such as pianist/composer Roberto “Cucurucho” Rodriguez, the Havana-based institution has stayed relevant, setting trends with the likes of the fiery timba hit Esto Te Pone La Cabeza Mala —­ deployed here as an encore.

This launch party for London’s La Linea Festival saw Van Van cherry-picking from their current album Arresando and throwing in some favourites: “And after all, what?” emoted petite dynamo Yeni Valdés on Después De Todo, a salsa club staple that had the crowd chanting and twirling as well.

With ailing founder and bandleader Juan Formell notable by his absence, it was his son Samuel who drove proceedings from behind his drum kit, his reggaeton beats augmenting a mix flecked with funk, soul and rock. Guest turns by bowler-hatted rapper Michelito and London-based rumbero Lazaro kept the surprises coming; set over, Cuban dance DJ Dr Jim had salseros swivelling way past midnight.


Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

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